Stylish Blogger Award

Thanks to Butterfly Feet Walking on Life and Chick Lit Central: The Blog, I have received the Stylish Blogger Award!



The rules of the award:


1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 super stylish bloggers this award.
4. Contact those bloggers and let them know they have won.


7 things (you might or might not know) about me:


1. I'm allergic to red dye.
2. I don't watch scary movies.
3. I was VP of the Honor Society in High School.
4. I haven't watched any prime time TV in almost four years due to having a night job.
5. I don't have a brother.  I have two sisters.
6. I have had the same hair style for 10 years.  (not color, just style/cut)
7. I have been married for 6 1/2 years.  I look forward to MANY more years with my husband.

Blogs chosen for the award (in no particular order):


Discovering the Me in Mommy

Book Couture

A Chick Who Reads

A Crumb Falls

A Life Bound by Books

About Happy Books

Coffee and a Book Chick

Lazy Girl Reads

My Overstuffed Bookshelf

Novel Confessions

Reading Angel

Scarrlet Reader

Something Old to Something New

The Book Bug

The Book Inn

Congrats to you and your stylin' blogs! Keep up the great work!

Supporting a Solid Foundation in Reading

It is very clear to me that a solid foundation and love of reading starts at a young age.  Though there are many exceptions, readers who have discovered the joy of reading later in life, for the most part the love of reading starts young!  I have strong feelings on getting children ages 0-8 on the right track.  I have read to my children since birth!  Just as children learn to talk by watching others, I believe they learn to read by watching and listening to others.  Though my girls cannot yet read on their own they are very attentive to books we read, they ask questions, showing me that they are thinking and they are very good at "reading" me the story on their own which proves they are remembering what we read.  They show all the signs of children ready to learn to read because their mind is processing, thinking, analyzing and translating the information read to them.

Stories hold the power of imagination, lessons of importance, learning skills and plain simple fun!  I believe every child deserves the chance to be a reader!  There are many programs that support this cause as well.  Some of these programs include Dolly Parton Imagination Library, tutoring centers such as Sylvan and online sites such as Starfall and Story Time For Me.  Recently Story Time For Me published this press release announcing upgrades and free content for their site!  If you were a follower when I offered free books from Story Time For Me you will love that the site is now free for everyone!  Here is the press release:

www.StoryTimeForMe.com
St. Louis, Mo. USA
January 18th, 2011


Press Release
FREE ONLINE CHILDREN'S BOOKS OFFERED TO IMPROVE CHILDREN’S LITERACY AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Summary
Story Time For Me has released a library of FREE interactive multimedia storybooks for homes, schools, daycares and libraries. Our program will encourage children to read entertaining, animated stories with socially relevant themes such as ‘Not to bully’, ‘Sharing’, ‘Being responsible for the environment’, ‘Helping your neighbor’, etc.

Access to books is essential to reading development. The only variable that directly correlates with reading scores is the number of books in the home. According to A.C. Nielsen & Co the average child watches over four hours of television per day and before finishing elementary school, that same child will have seen 8,000 murders on TV.

Story Time for Me wants to give free access to 100’s of quality children’s books. But that’s only part of our mission. All books published by Story Time For Me teach good morals and values with socially relevant themes. Books with uplifting story lines can make a positive impression on the minds of new readers. Our wholesome, entertaining, animated books feature easily identifiable animal characters learning to make positive decisions in everyday life situations. Parents can be sure Story Time For Me books will entertain their children while teaching them good moral values.

This library of books is recognized by educators and teaching professionals for its excellence in promoting literacy. “As the founder of the KART Foundation, a child’s literacy organization, I find Story Time For Me to be an excellent adaptation of traditional storytelling in the Internet age. The quality of the stories is first class, with loveable characters that all children can identify with,” said Terica Lynn Swangin, researcher, and author of the Scribbles & Friends Series PediNatural (TLS

“The development of this free library fosters a continued love of reading through our multimedia storybooks,” said Andrew Gitt, co-founder of Story Time For Me. “We are thrilled with the response we are already getting from educators and schools across the United States, and are currently expanding our outreach efforts. Select branches of Goddard Schools, Bright Horizons, Primrose, YMCA, JCCA, Childcare Network and a dozen other National chains are using our books as supplemental learning resources for their children.”

“Our goal is to attract a corporate sponsor with similar literacy goals to help distribute our growing library in multiple languages world-wide," said Susan Gitt, co-founder of Story Time For Me. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for a sponsor to receive positive branding while helping millions of families become better readers and socially responsible adults. For corporate sponsors, our books will also be made available on I-Pads and print versions with the sponsor’s branding on the cover. Special subject books and branded books are available for distribution to complement public service marketing efforts.

ABOUT STORY TIME FOR ME
Story Time For Me, founded in 2009, is a unique literary website designed specifically for toddlers and children ages 1 to 8 encouraging them to read and listen to enjoyable, online, multimedia picture books. Story Time For Me offers a one-of-a-kind, animated, personalized line of books for both retail and promotional marketing. In this the personalized Story Time For Me series, the child (or the business) becomes the “star” of the book by having his or her photo inserted and animated throughout the entire story in different poses and settings.

The Story Time For Me e-library offers compelling storytelling with inspiring and memorable characters designed to stimulate any child’s imagination. The content improves the student’s cognitive development and reading skills. The interactive language prompts provide children with their own personal reading coach.

Story Time For Me offers teacher, parents and children valuable literary resources that teach wholesome values through socially relevant themes, while promoting healthy parental interactions that inspire and foster a child’s passion for reading.
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For information about Story Time For Me, or to schedule an interview with one of the Story Time For Me founders, please call Jeff Gitt at (314) 757-1031 or e-mail Jeff at jgitt@storytimeforme.com.
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I personally recommend this site.  It is full of many wonderful books that read aloud to your child while highlighting what is being read.  The stories fit a wide age group of children but focus on the young readers ages 4-8.  My oldest loves using this site.  In our age of technology children are and will be exposed to the Internet, television and many other wonderful technological advances.  I believe as a parent it is my job to protect my children from the dangers of these tech toys while also guiding them to use them to further their knowledge.  My daughter loves playing games and reading books on the computer!  We make sure she plays educational games and spends time reading during each session of play time she spends on the computer.  I love that their are sites like Story Time For Me that offer reading tools for my children.  After all, I can't read to them all day everyday.... I have to read too!!

Check out the site and let me know what you think!  I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic or learn about other educational sites!  Thanks for reading!

Enticing New Release

I love, love, love Susan Elizabeth Phillips!  Her novels are a perfect mix of romance, humor and great story lines.  Her newest release has been and still is on my wish list!  Once I secure a copy I will be sure to review it for you!

Enjoy the preview...

Synopsis

Call Me Irresistible

R.S.V.P. to the most riotous wedding of the year . . .

Lucy Jorik is the daughter of a former president of the United States.

Meg Koranda is the offspring of legends.

One of them is about to marry Mr. Irresistible—Ted Beaudine—the favorite son of Wynette, Texas. The other is not happy about it and is determined to save her friend from a mess of heartache.

But even though Meg knows that breaking up her best friend's wedding is the right thing to do, no one else seems to agree. Faster than Lucy can say "I don't," Meg becomes the most hated woman in town—a town she's stuck in with a dead car, an empty wallet, and a very angry bridegroom. Broke, stranded, and without her famous parents at her back, Meg is sure she can survive on her own wits. What's the worst that can happen? Lose her heart to the one and only Mr. Irresistible? Not likely. Not likely at all.

Available to buy:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Borders

Enticing New Release

The Source of All Things by Tracy Ross

Synopsis

 [From Amazon]

Tracy Ross never knew her biological father, who died after a brain aneurysm when she was still an infant. So when her mother married Donnie, a gregarious man with an all-wheel-drive jeep and a love of hiking, four-year-old Tracy was ecstatic to have a father figure in her life. A loving and devoted step-father, Donnie introduced Tracy’s family to the joys of fishing, deer hunting, camping, and hiking among the most pristine mountains of rural Idaho. Donnie was everything Tracy dreamed a dad would be—protective, brave, and kind. But when his dependence on his eight-year-old daughter’s companionship went too far, everything changed.

Once Donnie’s nighttime visits began, Tracy’s childhood became a confusing blend of normal little girl moments and the sickening, secret invasion of her safety. Tormented by this profound betrayal, Tracy struggled to reconcile deeply conflicting feelings about her stepfather: on the one hand, fear and loathing, on the other hand, the love any daughter would have for her father. It was not until she ran away from home as a teenager that her family was forced to confront the abuse—and it tore them apart.

At sixteen, realizing that she must take control of her own future, Tracy sent herself to boarding school and began the long slow process of recovery. There, in the woods of Northern Michigan, Tracy felt called back to the natural world she had loved as a child. Over the next twenty years, the mountains and rivers of North America provided Tracy with strength, confidence, comfort, and inspiration. From trekking through the glaciers of Alaska to guiding teenagers through the deserts of Utah, Tracy pushed herself to the physical limit on her way to becoming whole again. Yet, as she came into her own, found love, and even started a family, Tracy realized that in order to truly heal she had to confront her stepfather about the demons from the past haunting them both. The Source of All Things is a stunning, unforgettable story about a wounded daughter, her stepfather, and a mistake that has taken thirty years and thousands of miles of raw wilderness to reconcile. Only Tracy can know if Donnie is forgivable. But one thing is for certain: In no other story of abuse does a survivor have as much strength, compassion, bravery, and spirit as Tracy displays in The Source of All Things

Did You Miss One?

Phew!  I felt it was time to sit back, relax and take a look at my postings!  It has been a very busy New Year for my blog, which is wonderful!  I started A Cozy Reader's Corner in May of 2010 and had it up and running full time by August.  2011 will be my first full calendar year for blogging and I started the year off with a bang, hitting the ground running!  Here's a list of recent post just in case you missed one!

Review: Cleaning Nabokov's House

Interview & Giveaway:  Thread's West (Historical Fiction)

Giveaway: What I Thought I Knew (Memoir)

New Release Alert!

Eye Catching Cover

Review: God's Guest List

Review: Cosmic (middle reader)

Review: To Desire a Wicked Duke (Historical Romance)

Review: I, Emma Freke (middle reader)

Review: Skipping a Beat (Women's Fiction)

Review: Life in the Slow Lane (Humor)

Review: Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique (children's)

Review & Giveaway:  Sound's Like Crazy (fiction)

Dreaming of Books Winners!

Jennifer @ Written Jen won This Side of Crazy!

Stacie @ Simply Stacie won an ARC of The Scorch Trials!

 

Congratulations Winners!!

 

Thanks to all who entered and follow my blog, making giveaways like this possible!  I have plenty of giveaways open still!  Make sure to enter each of the giveaways located to the top right of my blog.  I will be participating in future hops as well!  Look forward to seeing your entry then!

 

 

Cleaning Nabokov’s House

Author: Leslie Daniels
ISBN: 978-1-4391-9502-4
Publisher: Touchstone
Release: March 2011
Source: Author Exposure


Barb, a 39 year old mother of two, recently divorced and finds herself without custody of her children due to her un-charming ex-person. After living out of her car, Barb stumbles upon a house she loves and makes a down payment with funds her late father left her. The house happens to be the former residence of a famous author. While cleaning on afternoon Barb finds a hidden manuscript and begins the process of publication thought speculation varies in belief that the manuscript was written by Nabokov himself. When Barb is awakened from herself pity, she chooses to fight for custody of her children. This path sets her on the road to parenthood, thought it is very questionable in its methods and ironic in its ability to ruin her. In the end publication, parenthood and love are all possibilities if she will take the risk.

“Cleaning Nabokov’s House” was quite a different type of novel in regards to its story line. Although unique, the interest level and slow pace took away from its originality for me. I had a hard time getting into this odd story. I was unable to connect with the main character who obviously was depressed about losing her children, yet did absolutely nothing to fight for them until her only friend calls her out on her moping and complaining. I also did not find any depth to the other characters of this novel. The ex-person, as Barb calls him was quite annoying and unattractive. His attitude as a father seemed more self serving than interested in his children’s welfare. The sub characters were the most loveable but were not as much of an influence to make up for the main characters pit falls.

In addition the story takes a weird turn when she decides to fight for her children and starts checking off the list of “to do’s” in order for the court to take her seriously. One of these items is a job, yet her business plan is one that could, and in real life would, ruin her attempt at custody. The novel didn’t have a realistic feel to it. The writing style of the book was easy to read despite the slow pace. It flowed easily and the author was able to guide the reader efficiently. My level of interest in this novel would have been increased if it was not so depressing and gloomy. I felt misguided by the quotes of praise on the cover as I didn’t find the novel funny. It is a novel of deep pain and emotional healing that ends in unexpected love and devotion.

Overall the novel has a good length with an interesting theme that could have been developed with better character traits, dialogue and pace. The setting was unique and fitting while certain elements were odd and unsettling to me as a reader. While I understand the outcome and overall point of the novel, it was hard to follow the point while reading the book. The story seemed to jump around and not really land or connect until the very end. The author has great potential with this debut, I hope to see her next novel a little less scattered and a little more grounded. My thoughts landed me right in middle ground with this novel. I didn’t love it, yet I didn’t hate it. I must include I enjoyed the cover art that has been released since my receipt of this ARC, it is fitting.

Interview with Author Reid Rosenthal & Giveaway of "Threads West"

I am happy to have Reid Lance Rosenthal, author of "Threads West" on my blog today!  I hope you enjoy the interview as well as learning a little more about his debut novel!

Tell us a bit about you. How did you become an author or take an interest in writing?


I'm fourth-generation land and cattle. I own interests in a number of ranches in three Western states. I've always been enthralled by the land, its energy, moods, preservation, and the way it involves and shapes the lives that play upon its stage.

My interest in writing stems from long ago, when I was nine. We were taking a family vacation to the Virgin Islands. St. John had just been declared a National Park and we planned a week of camping on the beach in part to celebrate my sisters third birthday. A mongoose ate her birthday cake, but that is yet another tale. As penance for my playing hooky, my fourth grade teacher assigned me the task of keeping a daily journal with the admonition that I would have to read it to the class upon return.

My journal was written on the wide blue lines of a tablet with the ancient thick blue ink of the old octagon pens. On my first day back in class, hands trembling, I read to my classmates and Mrs. Darling, my teacher. I had convinced myself that no one really wanted to hear a tale of our vacation. Much to my surprise when I looked up there was complete silence, mouths were gaped, eyes were riveted on me, and my teacher clapped. It was then I realized I could tell a story and people wanted to hear it. It was on that day long ago that I promised myself I would write books. I was later blessed with teachers that exhorted me to do so, helped me hone my skills, and with insistent prodding built my confidence level in my prose. I had a double major in college – Forestry and Journalism, with a specialty in editorial writing. Some of my short story compositions did well in competitions, such as the Hartford Courant. That was as far as my early writing progressed.

It was two years ago that the man decided to keep the self-promise a nine-year-old boy had made to himself decades prior.

Please tell us a little bit about Threads West.

Threads West is the namesake and first book of a six-novel series, Threats West, An American Saga. When completed, the story will consist of two thousand to twenty-five hundred pages over the various volumes. This epic begins in 1855 with the first of four richly textured complex generations of unforgettable characters. The separate lives of these driven men and independent women are drawn to a common destiny that beckons seductively in the wild remote flanks of the American West. They are swept into the dangerous currents of the far distant frontier by the mysterious rivers of fate, the power of the land, and the American spirit. Threads West is of the adventure and romance of the West wrapped in a silver bolo the American spirit. It is a tale with a message. The adventure, romance, duplicity, ambition, failure and success is our story. I sincerely hope in addition to enjoying the read, readers are transported, and reminded of the roots of our nation. I believe this is the time for us to step back, remember, and then move forward again with the values of the Old West.

Did you have any specific inspiration that contributed to writing Threads West?

My goal of writing books and telling a story, combined with my absolute belief that the two most primal energies in human existence are romance and the incredibly powerful energy of the land. Combine these two primal basic forces into a great tale and people will empathize, relate, understand and enjoy. Mix in historical fact, and the interplay of conflicted personalities with all their authentic flaws and stay true to the message of uncommon threads of lives that weave together into the tapestry of an emerging nation, and I believe the result is a great story with a lesson. The inspiration for all my writing, landscape photography, and the source of my energy and passion is the land. Threads West is more than just an adventure and romantic story of characters and successive generations. It is about the evolution of America, the West, and the anvil of the land upon which these personalities were forged.

Who was your main support system when writing this book?  Did you have anyone who specifically gave you strength or advice while writing Threads West?

I believe in the old frontier attitude which is, "”If you need a hand, look at the end of your arm.” I don't consider writing Threads West, or even tackling the monumental task of the entire series with its thirty-eight characters over four generations, and one hundred seventy years of historical fiction one that requires strength or courage. In fact I am delighted to write this story, honored that it has received acclaim and awards, and stunned at its sales success. More than that, the hundreds of comments that we've received and continue to receive convince me that it has struck that median chord between romance, adventure, and good old-fashioned American patriotism. More than its best-selling rankings, greater than its awards, it is the far more significant impact of the book which makes me smile and instills in me the enthusiasm to write the rest of the series which I'm currently engrossed in.

However, being a neophyte, what I don't know about books and publishing is exponentially more than what I do know, despite my learning curve. I have a terrific team, with many great people who know the ins and outs of writing books, publishing, and getting the novels in front of people. A terrific proofreader, a fabulous editor, graphics people including my daughter, first-class distributor, and a tiny but great publisher with the foresight to afford me what was supposed to be a “part-time” publishing assistant, who now works double overtime!. No matter how fluid my pen, how great the idea or story of the saga, none of this would be happening without the other members of the team and I thank them mightily.

Have you always written historical fiction or do you have other genres which you write about?

Since this is my debut novel it is also my first venture into historical fiction! During the course of the series I will also be releasing is my first nonfiction book, Land For Love and Money. It is based on my extensive 40-year career dealing with ranches and land of all types, sizes and nature in many states and three countries on two continents. It will be the A-to-Z handbook for millions of landowners and millions of one of wanna-be landowners anywhere in North America. That book will be presented in anecdotal form -- some stories hilarious, some unbelievable -- a complete what to do and what to avoid guide about land located anywhere, be it a one acre cabin site on the Great Lakes, a coastal retreat in the Carolinas, a 20 acre horse place in Northern California, or a thousand acre spread in the Rockies. It will be accompanied by a CD-ROM with actual worksheets, contract provisions, conservation easement excerpts and checklists that I have developed over my long-time land career.

Are you planning to write a sequel to Threads West?

In fact, there are five sequels! Each of those is of course the sequence of books in the series. Book Two is now being written. Excerpts can be found at the end of Book One. The second novel, Maps of Fate, is scheduled for pre-order beginning in late February and release in March. The third book, North to Wyoming, is scheduled for release in early fall 2011. The Threads West, An American Saga epic will boast four historical Western romances. The last books of the series will be set in the real-time of the contemporary West. All the books are based on real and authentic locations. The final books in the series will have as their backdrop working ranches that exist in the here and now of the West amidst the pulse of politics, land butchery, and a difficult economic environment that affects all of us.

What was your favorite scene when writing Threads West?

I can't honestly pick a favorite scene. Readers might notice that I begin virtually every chapter with a description of the setting. This creates mood, physical presence, and I hope, draws the reader onto the stage on which the characters act out their story. I must admit, though, that that that particular style is as much for me as it is for the readers. Those opening paragraphs transport me. My soul and mind steps through a time portal where I am on that stage buried somewhere in the background busily transcribing the tale as the characters show and tell.

My two most favorite tasks in a novel is the descriptions of places or landscapes, and romantic interaction between the characters. I must admit that there are times when I mention that second favorite, i.e. the passionate romance, and folks glance furtively at the cowboy hat perched on my head and then quizzically back at me. The cowboy writing romance? Yes. (I am laughing).. I am a romantic guy! More importantly, romance, and the energy of location, the power of the land, and the way those two universal primal forces shape destinies and personalities have always intrigued me.

Is Threads West your first book? What was it like to see your debut book, a dream for most, in print and on the bookstore shelves? Threads West is indeed my first book. It is difficult if not impossible to explain the range of feelings, emotions, and excitement, nor the width and breadth of the smile which creases my face when I see that cover on the best-selling page, or on bookshelves in the few bookstores that have received their copies of the book thus far next to books with the names of authors that have become familiar to me over the years. Grisham, Patterson, Follett, Roberts, and others. I sometimes chuckle to myself. I'm sure they ask “Who the hell is this on the bestseller page or on the bookshelves with us? Who is this guy in the cowboy hat?” Or perhaps they don't even notice! I'm under no illusions. The success of Threads West has not elevated my name recognition as an author much above “Reid who???” However, I am far less concerned with my name recognition than I am with people enjoying Threads West and talking about the book. In some strange way I personally feel far less significant than the novel itself. It is all great fun, a huge challenge, and a fascinating learning experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world. In the truly macro sense it is more than being an author, and more perhaps than just the book. it is about fulfillment of a dream. I never fail to forget how fortunate I am to have achieved so many dreams of my life, particularly this one because it was such a long time coming and is so major. The only other thing ever published other than short stories in long forgotten Literary Reviews or magazines decades ago in high school and college is a fun little short story called End of the Circuit , a contemporary Western romance that seems to have brought smiles to many faces. However, tackling a novel is far different than writing a short story.

Do you have any other titles in the works? Should we expect to see more from you?

I assume you mean above and beyond the daunting but highly anticipated task of finishing the next five books in the series, Threads West, An American Saga, and the release of Land For Love and Money. Threads West is about 240 pages. While it is one of six books, the novel is only about ten to fifteen percent of the prose that needs to find its way to paper. I have lots of writing to do! And the prospect delights me! As to other titles after these major projects? I do have some ideas. Several for fiction works, and one nonfiction undertaking which I think would be fascinating. But first things first. I will focus on my current projects, enjoy the process, and attempt to tell a great story with fine wordsmithing that readers relish. I love colloquialisms. They are pure Americana. I will use one again. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

What are your favorite books?

I can honestly say is that I can't choose a single favorite title. I was a voracious reader when younger’ flashlight under the covers and novels carefully hidden in my school books during class, the whole nine yards. There are so many terrific authors and fine books. I'm honored simply be called an author. Sometimes I pinch myself when I'm introduced as such.

I've been influenced by many great writers. Crane and Hemingway's detailed descriptions of scenes and circumstances have always enthralled me. Crane’s Red Badge of Courage and Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea would be among my two favorites. Leon Uris and his brilliant renditions of converging threads of lives has had a major effect on my presentation. His novels, which I read more than once in my late teens, Exodus, Battle Cry, The Young Lions, and Mila 18 are among my top ten favorite reads for sure. McMurtry’s and L’Amour’s gritty portrayal of the thoughts, ethics, and personalities of the West have most certainly afforded me yet another high bar to scribe to. Lonesome Dove which remarkably a number of national reviewers and readers have compared Threads West to, and a number of L’Amour’s books are also among favorites. I often notice others smile when I mention that amongst my favorites is the Harry Potter series. Based on the quizzical glances flashed in my direction when I mentioned my addiction to Harry, Muggles, and Hogwarts it is apparently difficult for some to imagine a cowboy engrossed in witches, wizards, and far off mystical places. JK Rowling’s series is wonderfully detailed, and is the quintessential struggle between good and evil, employing as "magic" or what my friends in the Star Wars Trilogy (another favorite) , would term “The Force”.

What is the worst book you've read?

I can’t say with certainty what the worst book I've ever read is. Truth be known, if a book is that bad I simply snap the cover, set it down and never pick it up again. No sense wasting daylight on a bad story or horrible writing. Generally I tend to like books that get lost in the profound ephemeral, with repeated wanderings that deviate far and wide from the central arc of the story. I am just a novice, but it is my opinion that a great tale can stay true to its story line and still convey a message with subtlety, taste, and almost imperceptible cadence.

What is your preferred writing atmosphere, for example, you listen to music, watch TV, go to a coffee house or library?

I am laughing. My preferred writing atmosphere is pacing around the kitchen and living room, digital recorder in one hand, coffee in the other. A close second is the cozy interior cab of a one ton Ford as it screams down the highway from ranch to ranch, many of those trip durations of 8 to 10 hours. I would estimate that at least half of Threads West was dictated driving at 90 mph -- and if any state trooper is reading this, I meant 75! Many times I've missed the next exit or turn, so engrossed have I become in the story the characters are telling me. On a few occasions my startled glance in the review mirror has revealed the winking lights of a patrol car. Generally the officer has asked me why I didn't pull over for the last thirty miles. The looks I get when I explain I am writing a book are priceless. All my writing is done via dictation. I can type -- matter-of-fact, around a hundred words per minute. Unfortunately, there are at least thirty typos per line. I've become somewhat infamous for my e-mails after pounding keys with my big paws. Spell check would take longer than the original writing.

Are you a night owl or early bird?

I am both. Sleep is nothing more than a necessary evil. I would prefer to be catching winks three days at a time followed by six weeks without any rest. The majority of my writing is usually done from about 10 o'clock at night to 3 o’clock in the morning. Secondary productive timeframe would be six or so in the morning to perhaps ten a.m. Then the reality of daily life, business and the ranches takes over. Once in a while I've stepped through that time portal I described and I'm reluctant to remove myself. On those occasions I can go three or four days without any sleep whatsoever.

Do you have a favorite reading -- writing snack?

Elk, chocolate, and coffee are the primary food groups in my opinion. Everything else is a derivative. I would hasten to add that chocolate is relegated to that fine dark European chocolate, or my favorite, which are Nestle’s semi sweet morsels. It's a fine day indeed when the local grocery store has bags of those on sale.

Do you have an author you look up to?

I look up to all authors. It is a feat to write a book, get published, and then engross oneself in the hard work that comes thereafter. If anyone thinks that your job is complete when you put the last comma in the last sentence they are sadly mistaken. The work has just begun. So, to authors everywhere of any type in any genre, fiction or nonfiction, I give a nod and a pull of the wide brim of my cowboy hat to them. They -- all of them -- have my great respect.

Favorite sport?

I am a highly physical man. My passions are also my “sports”. I generally like more solitary pursuits. I never was partial to neighbors. Hunting, riding, fishing, river floating, and skiing -- particularly the steep, the deep, and the trees, and weightlifting.

What is the one thing you would change about being an author?

Nothing.

The translation of the moment into words; it might be a moment of the moods of land, or a moment of interaction and romantic interaction treatment characters. But the description of the scene, a peculiar angle of the sun, bursting sky prisms falling rain, shadows creeping with the angle of the waning sun. I am compelled to capture the image in every way possible. Many times, due simply to the wild remote places where I spend many of my waking hours – right time, right place) -- I've been fortunate to record with my camera and my memory the power of scenes so vivid as to be mesmerizing. The thrill of knowing I have recorded a split second that is never, ever to be repeated as to the angle, time, or season, makes all doubly exciting and satisfying. Translating those images to paper and projecting them into a reader's mind and heart is incredibly satisfying. It is those never to be repeated moments that underpin the script portion of my writing. When I write of mood, setting -- a section of the earth -- it is all there in a picture somewhere deep in my soul. My pen becomes merely the shutter, and the paper the film.

How do you react to bad review?

I haven't had the opportunity to gauge my reaction. With thousands of comments by readers, authors and others, and reviews received, only a very few have been negative. I don't have a problem with a negative review. It is impossible and unrealistic to expect every person who reads a book, any book by any author, to 100% like it. If reviews are honest, well-intentioned, from the heart and not nasty, more power to them. It is only when a negative review is posted our of mean-spirit or done for alternate purpose that I object. I believe that is a huge preponderance of comment whether by professional reviewers, author peers, or -- in my opinion the most important -- the readers for whom the book is written or positive that I am well satisfied that the work is well received.

What you do with your time when you're not writing?

This author thing is like taking on a second full-time career and job. Time, energy, and focus are needed to run and operate the ranches, particularly when spread out over long distances. Fortunately I love that business too, and if affords me the experience to intertwine my passions and love of the land with a vocation. Ironically, it also gives me great fodder for writing backdrop, scenes, and of places in which the action of the novel transpires.

Do you have a New Year's resolution?

To write like a fiend, ride like the wind, ski as if in an elevator shaft full of bubbles, love big, dream grand, smell, taste, sense, and enjoy life and family, and to smile just as much as I can as often as possible.

 Did you have any specific inspiration that contributed to writing Threads West?

1855 is a magical moment in American history. The great Western migration was in its infancy. The later turmoil between the northern and southern states was just beginning to darken the whispered rhetoric of both sides. Native Americans had rightfully lost trust in the promises of the white man. The main treaties of years prior, and indeed the compact between the states regarding abolition, had all been broken by one or the other party just within the previous twelve to twenty-four months. This was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution though no one knew that, Revolvers were invented just years prior and the repeating rifle was several years from rolling out from the factories of arms manufacturers. It was the year that the world -- and America -- breathed in, held their collective breath, and readied to exhale with a rush towards the Great Plains and the Rockies.

Life is half-art, half science. Emotions mix with the knowledge. The energy input and output of the spirit blends with the progression of the mind. That's why the influences on my writing all flow from the land and personal interaction with real people and personalities I've known -- you might call that the science portion of my words. The art ingredient or presentation is also one of many influences. The weave of Western relationships is always the land. The intertwined twist of ranch and romance are fascinating threads of the driven men and feisty women of the Old West. The foundation of my stories is that reality. There is intrigue, adversity, vicious duplicity, and triumph that few know of, but which are always at play beneath the idyllic mosaics of inviting canyons and sundrenched plains.

Thank you Reid!

I have one copy of this book to giveaway!
 If your interested make sure to:

• Follow this blog via GFC or Email Subscription
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Facebook Fan Page Giveaway

Click Here to enter!  Below is the information as posted on the fan page.  Comments are only counted if they are placed on my Discussion via my Fan Page on Facebook.

I am ready for my Facebook Fan Page Giveaway.... This time around I am giving away "What I Thought I Knew" by Alice Eve Cohen!

Information about this book as well as my review of the title can be found by visiting:

http://acozyreaderscorner.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-i-thought-i-knew.html

To Enter:

Simply "Like" this page and leave a comment saying you do!

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Total of 3 comments for 3 chances to win!
--------
Winner will be notified via Facebook Message as well as an announcement on this page.

Giveaway ends January 31st. I will announce a winner (chosen at random) on February 1st.

Good Luck and Thanks for entering!

Enticing New Release

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

is

Available Now for Pre-order 

Available in Stores January 25th

Synopsis

When teenager Allison Glenn is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls' golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces whispered rumors every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It's Brynn—shy, quiet Brynn—who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her.

But then Allison is released to a halfway house, and is more determined than ever to speak with her estranged sister.

Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.

My Thoughts

Wow!  This synopsis grabbed my attention quickly!  I'm dying to know what happened and why her sister and this little boy hold they key to her imprisonment.  I of course have my thoughts on what I think possibly happened... It's possible her sister was raped, she killed the attacker trying to save her sister who ended up pregnant and giving the child up for adoption.  Or maybe she took the down fall for the sister so she could go free?  There are so many different possibilities, so many different ways this story can twist and turn for the readers enjoyment.  I normally don't go for crime related novels but this one has my interest and I am excited to read it once its released! 

What do you think?



Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

Hosted by Inspired Kathy and Martha's Bookshelf.

I am giving away two books this time around!  Two separate winners will be picked.  Here are the rules:

• You must be a follower of this blog via GFC or Email subscription
• 1 Extra entry is available for following via any of the following & sharing the giveaway.  Links must be left in order to count.
• Twitter
• Goodreads
• Facebook Fan Page
• Networked Blogs
• Giveaway ends at midnight EST on January 17th

Here are the books I am giving away:

This Side of Crazy

 (due to content I strongly suggest the reader is over 18)

The Scorch Trials (ARC - YA novel)

Ready to enter?  Great!  Fill out the form below. [Your entry will only count if you enter via the form.] Don't forget to visit the linky list and hit up the next blog in the giveaway!

Eye Catching Cover Alert!

This weeks eye catching cover was released earlier this month!  It is the third novel in its series and has some serious competition with its sister novels!  The eye catching cover goes to...

"Passion" by Lauren Kate!

I love this cover though Torment is still my favorite of the Fallen series. 

I really think these covers are so great because they portray the title in a simple yet stunning say.  Fallen has a sad look to it while torment is dark and painful.  Passion has a light, hopeful, sweet look to it.  Needless to say, every cover in this series is wonderful!  What do you think?  What's your favorite?  If you have read the books, do you feel the cover reflects the story?  Avid fans, have you pre-ordered??

God’s Guest List

Debbie Macomber
ISBN: 978-1-4391-0896-3
Publisher: Howard Books
Source: BookPleasures

Have you ever made a list of people you’d love to meet? People that have inspired you, you’ve looked up to or you’re a huge fan of. Debbie Macomber did precisely that and as she was given the opportunity to meet the people on her list, she realized she had it all wrong. Time after time the people on her list disappointed her, affecting her in a negative aspect. It was then that she realized God has a completely different “guest list” for our lives. He sends people into our lives, sometimes for a season, sometimes to remain and leaves us to decide which people have impacted us greatly, left an impression, changed us for the better or simply encouraged us when we need it most. A list that started as 30 people was erased and left blank, to be filled in as she goes. The list is intimate, to be filled as Debbie sees fit but within the pages of this book Debbie tells her story, shares lessons learned and explains some of the people she chose for her guest list.

“God’s Guest List” is an inspirational non-fiction title from the popular romance author Debbie Macomber. Inside this book Debbie pens a story as natural as her fiction with a special dose of intimacy and love. I truly felt I was given a chance to know Debbie on a more personal level by reading this book. It is her personal thoughts, feelings and revelations about the people God sent into her life that made a positive impact on her. Throughout the book the reader is given tidbits of wisdom and many thought provoking examples of how our lives affect others through our actions. Even our deepest thoughts influence our arrival and outcome. The book is a tribute to all those whom Debbie has welcomed into her life and appreciated the influence they have had on her.

This simple inspirational book has an open candidness full of simple truths and provides challenges to the reader. I was given something unique to think about with every story I read. I started reflecting on my life and adding to my own guest list. It’s amazing how simple it is to make a list of names that will impact you forever. I found that as I added each name to my list, I instantly knew why they were there. None of the names had the thought “Oh, yah. I remember her”. Each name holds the key to a distinct moment in my life that has been etched in my memory. It is a bittersweet process as some of the names on the list are no longer with me or have been removed from their period in my life.

I enjoyed this book for what it is. Mostly, I learned from it and reflected on my own life. I appreciated the tidbits of wisdom, simple lessons and life changing examples Debbie included. “God’s Guest List” is a wonderful inspirational read.

3/5

To Desire a Wicked Duke

Nicole Jordan
ISBN: 978-0-3455-1009-9
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Source: BookPleasures
On Sale: February 22, 2011

The Courtship wars continue! If you have followed this series by Nicole Jordan, I’m sure you highly anticipate its release. The sixth and final book of the series explores the story of Tess with a secondary story that wraps up ties for Fanny Irwin who has played a role in each novel to date. In this final installment, Tess gets a second chance at love! This time around it is with the wicked Duke of Rotham, the elder cousin of her late fiancé. It’s been two years since Richards' death and Tess is ready to move on. She doesn’t expect to move on in the arms of Ian but fate, desire and attraction all have their own plan.

One of the wonderful perks of historical romance is the throwback in language that the reader experiences. Gone are words such as ass, erection and affair. The contemporary words of today are replaced with words such as derriere, hardness, and liaison, giving the language a sophisticated feel. Nicole’s writing shows this perk off in its highest regard. I greatly enjoyed the dialogue as well as the descriptive wording this book used. In a way it enabled me to understand and appreciate the beauty of the scenes without feeling I was walking in on something I shouldn’t be.

This title is a great example of a near perfect romance novel. It was loaded with the must have steamy scenes but full of story and intrigue as well. The hot stuff fit in with the story rather than the story catering to the steamy excerpts. The book follows the main story of Tess and Ian’s relationship while also entertaining a secondary story, Fanny’s relationship. It includes many incidents that tie everything together. The novel entertains with its slight mystery and steamy passion.

I had a hard time putting this novel down. It had a few quirks in reference to the characters avoiding honesty and communication. However, it was an aspect needed in order to let the book arrive at its conclusion. The author hits that not all may be as it seems which brings intrigue to the novel. I would suggest this book to romance readers, especially those who enjoy historical romance or the 18th century. I have not read the other books in this series and purposefully accepted this novel out of order to see if it would stand on its own. I am happy to report it can! The author does a great job of bringing characters from previous novels into the book without having to supply mundane facts for previous readers of the series. New readers are given enough information to read this title on its own without confusion. I have every intention of reading the rest of this series, starting with book one! While I do that, I suggest you read “To Desire a Wicked Duke”.
[Heat Level 4]

Cosmic

Frank Cottrell Boyce
ISBN: 978-0-06-183683-1
Publisher: Walden Press Pond
Source: BookPleasures

Liam has always been tall for his age, which always makes people mistake him for an adult. No one ever believes a twelve year old could be so tall and have a beard! To be fair the beard is really only stubble but still, no one ever believes he’s a kid and that’s only fun when your principal mistakes your for a teacher or the car sales man offers you a test drive! Otherwise, Liam feels stuck between two worlds, the life of a twelve year old and the mistaken identity of an adult. When Liam is offered the trip of a life time he takes advantage of his adult looks and heads off to china with his pseudo daughter. Little does Liam know this trip will be much more than he bargained for, a trip that is literally going to be out of this world! Liam learns a lot about being a kid, a lot about being an adult and gets to do some awesome stuff in-between.

Cosmic was a wonderful book! Seriously, don’t judge me but I loved this book! The novel is written for children ages 8 – 12 and is perfect for that age group; however, it is also a book anyone older than twelve can enjoy! I was instantly drawn to the story. The writing is easy to follow and flows with a fast pace throughout the novel. The author is very creative and the story is humorous as well as enjoyable. I was in awe from the moment Liam left his house to take his trip to China. I felt as if I was learning all about space and flying a rocket with the characters. The characters themselves were unique and colorful. They were well developed and I enjoyed the mix they brought to the story.

Overall, Cosmic was a wonderfully imaginative story that held me captive from beginning until to end. It was funny, yet touching as the reader travels with Liam and learns about being a grown-up. It truly point out the parts of “grownupness” that are wasted on grown-ups and also points out the great aspects of youth that are sadly lost when we grow up. The book has a focus on the awesome power of parents and points out how valuable and irreplaceable they are. I really enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend it for its intended age group as well as others! I will be reading Boyce’s other novels as well. Let’s just say I’m a fan now!